Trimble Completes Ulster Awards Hat-Trick

Andrew Trimble picked up three awards at tonight's Heineken Ulster Rugby Awards Dinner, with the Ireland winger chosen as the Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year, the Ulster Rugby Writers' Player of the Year and the Ulster Rugby Supporters Club Player of the Year.

Andrew Trimble's excellent year was recalled at the awards ceremony which was held at the Europa Hotel in central Belfast.

Trimble has had a remarkable season, both for Ulster and for Ireland. He has always been a fantastic performer but this year has raised his game to another level.

This is the second year in a row that the 29-year-old has won both the province's main Bank of Ireland-sponsored award and also the Supporters Club honour.

Ulster captain Johann Muller, who will retire from rugby at the end of this season, was named Heineken Ulster Rugby Personality of the Year.

The citation paid tribute to the South African's outstanding contribution to Ulster Rugby, stating: "He is an adopted Ulsterman, a commanding presence who quickly learned what it meant to wear the red hand and who became as passionate about bringing success to the province as any longstanding supporter."

Ulster and Ireland out-half Paddy Jackson was named the BT Young Player of the Year, after a season that has seen him excel for Ulster and become an important member of the Ireland squad.

Ex-Bangor Grammar School pupil Stuart McCloskey was named Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy Player of the Year, after making the breakthrough into the senior squad this season. As the judges said, he is 'a big player with a big future'.

Ballynahinch RFC, who had earlier retained their Division 1A status in the Ulster Bank League, were named Kukri Sportswear Club of the Year for the second year running, reflecting the consistency that the County Down club has maintained at all levels.

Michael Black was named Winemark Referee of the Year and was described as 'a credit to his province and to the Ulster Society of Rugby Football Referees'.

Jemma Jackson was awarded the Errigle Women's Player of the Year prize and Ballymena's Adrian Hamilton was given the Ken Goodall Award for the Outstanding Club Player of the Year.

The Dorrington B Faulkner award, which goes each year to a person who is deemed to have given exceptional service to rugby in Ulster, was presented to Cecil Watson.

An ex-player at Malone, he served as President of the Ulster Branch and the IRFU Committee. In recent years he was Chairman of the Redevelopment Committee at Ulster Rugby. His vision, hard work and dedication have been central to the successful delivery of the Ravenhill Stadium project.

Jacob Stockdale from Wallace High School was named Danske Bank Schools Player of the Year, while Adam McBurney from Randalstown RFC was presented with the Ulster Carpets Youth Player of the Year award.

ULSTER AWARD WINNERS FOR 2013/14 SEASON:

Adam McBurney (Randalstown RFC) - Ulster Carpets Youth Player of the YearJacob Stockdale (Wallace High School) - Danske Bank Schools Player of the YearCecil Watson - Dorrington B Faulkner Award (Exceptional service to rugby in Ulster)Jemma Jackson - Errigle Women's Player of the YearAdrian Hamilton (Ballymena) - Ken Goodall Award (Outstanding Club Player of the Year)Michael Black - Winemark Referee of the YearBallynahinch RFC - Kukri Sportswear Club of the YearStuart McCloskey - Hughes Insurance Ulster Rugby Academy Player of the YearAndrew Trimble - Ulster Rugby Supporters Club Player of the YearAndrew Trimble - Ulster Rugby Writers' Player of the YearPaddy Jackson - BT Young Player of the YearJohann Muller - Heineken Ulster Rugby Personality of the YearAndrew Trimble -Bank of Ireland Ulster Player of the Year